The Tennessee Titans have taken their right tackle of the future after selecting Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
On the surface, the 6-foot-6, 350-pound tackle seems like a good match for the Titans.
He has shown flashes of dominance in both pass protection and run blocking, but still lacks the consistency to call him a sure bet. He’ll definitely need some time to be developed.
What he does have is ideal athleticism for the Titans’ zone-blocking scheme despite his massive frame, as evidenced by his playing wildcat quarterback during his high school days.
#Georgia RT Isaiah Wilson (one of the largest prospects in this draft and a potential 1st rounder) taking snaps as a wildcat QB in high school.
Good luck stopping that freight train. pic.twitter.com/5AcMdaO7pm
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 11, 2020
Here’s a more thorough scouting report from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, who notes that Wilson has shown struggles as a zone blocker, which is troubling.
Big, broad right tackle prospect with outstanding physical traits and above-average potential. Wilson’s play was a bit uneven depending on his matchup, but his level of play showed improvement in-season. He’s a little inconsistent hitting his landmarks as a zone blocker but should fit nicely into a man-based blocking scheme. A potential lack of range in pass protection could lead to over-sets and subsequent troubles with inside counters. Wilson has elite size and length. There’s buzz surrounding his NFL projection, but early work might be needed for both his footwork and technique in order to play with desired consistency as a starter.
While Wilson was certainly one of the best tackles left on the board at the end of the first round, he wasn’t my first choice of all the players still available, nor of the offensive linemen still on the board.
Adding to that, the Titans already have a starter on the right side in Dennis Kelly, who is signed for the next three years, so Wilson doesn’t fill an immediate need.
Drafting guys like cornerbacks Kristian Fulton out of LSU or Jeff Gladney out of TCU, both of whom were on the board, would have given the Titans a slot corner, which is an immediate need. Either one of those guys could have transitioned to the outside in 2021, also.
Another option could have been Auburn defensive lineman/EDGE Marlon Davidson, whose versatility and motor would have given the Titans a stellar pass-rusher on the defensive line who could have replaced DaQuan Jones, who is set to be a free agent in 2021.
Perhaps the Titans have other plans (signing Jadeveon Clowney and/or putting Amani Hooker at slot corner?) to avoid addressing those areas now, but until we see those plans, this pick comes off as a bit disappointing.
Sure, the fit is right and Wilson plays at an important position, but I’m not sure the Titans got the best player available, nor did they get a player who can help them out now. This pick doesn’t make the Titans a better football team.